December 7 2015 God's Christmas Gift To You

God's Christmas Gift To You

1. God’s first Christmas gift is celebration.

Luke 2:8-10 – There were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.  An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.’

WHY DO WE CELEBRATE?

• GOD LOVES US!

John 3:16 – God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

• GOD IS WITH US!

Hebrews 13:5 – God says, ‘I will never leave you; I will never abandon you.’

• GOD IS FOR US!

John 3:17 – God didn’t send His Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it.

2. God’s second Christmas gift is salvation.

WHAT IS SALVATION?

• SAVED FROM MY SIN

Matthew 1:21 – Give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.

Romans 7:24-25 – I’ve tried everything and nothing helps.  I’m at the end of my rope.  Is there no one who can do anything for me?  The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does.

• SAVED FOR A PURPOSE

II Timothy 1:9 – He saved us and called us to be His own people, not because of what we have done, but because of His own purpose and grace.

3. God’s third Christmas gift is reconciliation.

Luke 2:13-14 – Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace, good will toward men.

WHAT KIND OF PEACE DOES JESUS GIVE?

• PEACE WITH GOD

Romans 5:1 – Now that we have been put right with God through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

• PEACE OF GOD

Philippians 4:6-7 – Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.  Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done.  If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand.  His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

• PEACE WITH EACH OTHER

Matthew 5:9 – Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall be called the children of God.

Acts 10:35 – It makes no difference who you are or where you’re from, if you want God and are ready to as He says, the door is open.

November 9 2014 Building Peace Into Our Lives

Building Peace Into Our Lives

John 20 – Peace be with you.

John 14:27 – Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

How To Build Peace Into Our Lives

1. Accept what cannot be changed.

Philippians 4:11-13 – I have learned to be satisfied with the things I have, and with everything that happens. I know how to live when I’m poor and I know how to live when I have plenty. I have learned the secret of being happy at any time in everything. I can do all things through Christ because He gives me strength.

• Stop demanding an explanation from God for the bad things that happen.
• When God is silent you need acceptance.
  (Job, our example)

2. Trust in God’s loving care.

Isaiah 26:3 – You, Lord, give true peace to those who depend on You because they trust You.

Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart and don’t lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.

Why Does Life Happen?

• Adam & Eve gave into temptation.
• Satan is still our enemy
• We make our own mistakes.

John 9:3 – This happened so the work of God may be displayed in his life.

Philippians 4:6-7 – Don’t worry about anything. Tell God your needs and don’t forget to thank Him for answers. If you do this, you will experience God’s wonderful peace which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand.

3 Surrender to God’s loving control.

Romans 8:6 – If a person’s thinking is controlled by his sinful self, then there is death, but if his thinking is controlled by the Spirit, then there’s life and peace.

Psalm 119 – Those who love Your teaching will find true peace and nothing will defeat them.

Romans 5:1 – Since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God, because of what Jesus Christ our Lord had done for us.

August 3 2014 Hope - The Inspiration Of The Church And Life

THE INSPIRATION OF THE CHURCH AND LIFE

Romans 15:1-13

The difference between faith and hope:

Faith: Tends to deal with the details of life.

Hope: Deals with the largeness of life itself.

Hope is a confident anticipation of good things to come with the corresponding effort to reach and attain them.

The Streams of Hope

1. The Dark Stream of Hope

Romans 15:4 – For everything was written to teach us, that through endurance and the encouragement of the scriptures, we might have hope.

2. The Light Stream of Hope

Romans 15:13 – May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust Him, so that you may overflow with hope, by the power of the Holy Spirit.

3. The Bridge Between Endurance and Hope

Romans 15:4 – Through endurance and the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope.

Romans 5:1-5

Perseverance means active endurance.

Psalm 33:18 – The eyes of the Lord are on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in His unfailing peace.

• Hope comes from His character.

Hebrews 6:17-19 – Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of His purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, He confirmed it with an oath.  God did this, so that by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged.  We have this hope, an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.

• Hope comes from His control.

2 Chronicles 16:9 – For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.

The Substance of Hope

Vs. 13 – Fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him.

The Supply of Hope

Vs. 13 – So that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

• He gives us surviving power.
• He gives us reviving power.
• He gives us standing power.
• He gives us driving power.
• He gives us arriving power.

Are you looking for hope?  Then grab hold of the rope of Hope.  It is as strong as God’s character and as long as your faith.

March 2 2014 How To Experience Peaceful Living

How To Experience Peaceful Living 

Galatians 5:22-23 – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Proverbs 14:30 – A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.

Three Kinds Of Peace:

1. Spiritual peace.

Romans 5:1 – Since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

2. Emotional peace.

Colossians 3:15 – Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since you were called to peace.

3. With people around us.

Romans 12:18 – If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

God’s Promise: John 14:27 – Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Five Keys To God’s Peace:

1. Obey God’s principles.

Psalm 119:165 – Great peace have they who love your law.

2. Accept God’s pardon.

Micah 7:18 – Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression

I John 1:9 – If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins.

3. Focus on God’s presence.

Isaiah 26:3 – You will keep in perfect peace, him whose mind is steadfast.

Psalm 46:1 – God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

• Be still.
• Realize that God is God.

Psalm 46:10 – Be still and know that I am God.

Philippians 4:7 – And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

4. Trust God’s purpose.

Proverbs 35:6 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.

• Trust.
• Acknowledge.

Philippians 4: 12, 13 – I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed, or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want, I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.

5. Ask for peace.

Philippians 4:6,7 – Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, present your request to God, and the peace of God will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Luke 8:14 – The seen that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way, they are choked by life’s worries.

1 Peter 5:7 – Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.

February 23 2014 The Choice To Rejoice

The Choice To Rejoice 

Galatians 5:22 – The fruit of the Spirit is joy.

Philippians 4:4 – Rejoice always in the Lord. I will say it again rejoice.

Three Reasons to Rejoice

1. We have hope.

Romans 5:1-2 – Therefore since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through Whom we have gained access, by faith into this grace in which we now stand and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Romans 12:12 – Be joyful in hope.

2. God has a purpose.

Romans 5:3 – We rejoice in our sufferings because we know that suffering produces perseverance.

Verse 4 – And perseverance character, and character, hope.

James 1:2-3 – Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

Verse 4 – Perseverance must finish its work, making you mature and complete, not lacking anything.

3. Understand God is with us.

Romans 5:11 - We all rejoice because of what God has done through our Lord Jesus Christ who has made us good friends.

Isaiah 43:2 – When you pass through deep waters, I will be with you, your troubles will not overwhelm you. When you pass through fire you will not be burned.

Four Steps to Inner Joy

1. Develop the attitude of gratitude.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 – Give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ.

Psalm 28:7 – My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song.

2. Strengthen joy by giving.

Acts 20:35 – It is more blessed to give than to receive.

2 Corinthians 9:7 – God loves a cheerful giver.

3. Increase joy through service.

Mark 8:35 – For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the Gospels will save it.

Ephesians 6:7-8 – Serve whole heartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not man, because you know the Lord will reward everyone whatever good he does.

4. Learn to share Christ with others.

Luke 15:10 – There is rejoicing in heaven when a person comes to faith in Christ.

Romans 10:1 – How I wish with all my heart that my own people might be saved how I pray to God for them.

Jesus said – I will not abandon you or leave you as orphans in the storm, I will come to you.